Every year, veteran singer Asha Bhosle opts for a quiet family time over big celebrations for her birthday, and that’s exactly the plan for her 88th birthday, today. “I haven’t celebrated my birthday for many years. Birthday is not a special day for me. Hum toh buddhe hote hai us din. It is something that kids celebrate,” confesses Bhosle, adding, “I celebrated my birthday once when I turned 75. We invited every singer I’ve worked and share a close bond with. Uske baad, I asked my family to refrain from parties. This year, I will be in Lonavala with my daughter-in-law and grand-daughter.”

Walking down the memory lane, Bhosle shares, “Earlier, I would spend my birthday in the studio. I remember many people from the industry, including Shankar–Jaikishan and R D Burman, would keep a recording on my birthday, phir sab milkar dhol, tashe, tabla bajate the.”

The singer, to this date, spends her days doing riyaaz. “When it comes to the professional sphere, I want to just sing songs that are good,” she shares.

Ask her if the thought of retirement has crossed her mind, and the singer says no. “Because of the Coronavirus crisis, many of my shows got cancelled. I’m just waiting for things to get normal, so that I can resume my live shows,” admits Bhosle.